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“Please, Mom, spare me the dramatic words. St. John is part of the US Virgin Islands. You would still be technically in the States. Working in the Caribbean would be a dream come true. Nothing is keeping you here, and I’ll be delighted to visit you in warm, sunny St. John for every vacation.”
“Did you hear that, Lillian?” Steve teased. “As soon as they finish the clinic, you’re flying there to check out the place, and then we’ll talk.”
Her shoulders sagging a little, she arched her eyebrows, and her gaze flipped from him to Greg and back. “Dr. Winston, please, leave the business talk for the office. And you, Greg, you’re here only for a few more hours. Let’s not waste our time in aimless discussion.”
“As you wish.” He flashed an approving grin at the young man. “I just want to reassure Greg that I completely agree with him. It’s time for you to take your career to the next level. I’ll toast to the future of the clinic and its success.”
Greg stood and touched his glass of wine to his mother’s. “Mom, I hope you’ll be part of this new clinic’s success.”
Steve wanted to shake the young man’s hand, or clap him on the back to thank him for supporting what was becoming Steve’s new goal, carrying Lillian all the way to his island.
Ignoring the men, Lillian set down her glass. “Another piece of lasagna?”
“Sure. It’ll be some time before I taste it again.” Her son lifted his plate to receive a new portion of the delicious meal.
“I’ll have another serving, too.” Steve presented his plate. With Lillian around, one was sure never to starve, nor to lack for anything, especially not affectionate care. “Do you start working right away?” he asked Greg to shift the conversation to a less sensitive subject.
Lillian served him and turned an interested gaze upon her son.
“I’ll arrive tomorrow morning. Someone from the company will be picking me up at the airport and driving me to the flat I’ll occupy during my stay. I may stop by the office to introduce myself. I’ll start the next day, probably with a series of meetings to get to know the people. Dr. Winston, any more salad?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“Mom, don’t move. I’ll clear the table and bring the tiramisu and dessert plates.”
Steve handed him his plate and Lillian’s, then stood and carried the empty pan and salad bowl to the sink. When he returned to sit at the table, he smiled. “He’s a wonderful young man,” he said, his voice low.
“I’m very proud of him, but I wish he was working somewhere closer.”
“I know the feeling.”
“Here’s the masterpiece of the year,” Greg announced, carefully placing the glass pan with the scrumptious tiramisu in the center of the table. “I’m glad you made a big one,” he joked as he handed them clean plates and forks. “Mom, you want to serve?”
Steve savored the creamy dessert with delight. “Unbelievably good.”
“Amazing,” Greg added. “Wish I could take you with me, Mom. I’d be guaranteed all of my favorite meals.”
Perceptive young man. Stevecouldtake her with him and benefit from her skills at the clinic and her cooking at home. He would have to present her with an offer she couldn’t refuse.
“I’d better get ready. I have to leave in half an hour.”
“Are you driving to the airport?” Steve asked.
“No. The line was too long at the car rental desk. I ended up catching a cab here.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll drive you. Just get ready,” Lillian said.
“Why don’t I drive? You two can relax and chat. Unless you need your privacy for a last talk…”
“There’s nothing secret to exchange. Are you sure you have time?”
“Absolutely. I’ll drop you both, and you can have some extra minutes with Greg until he passes security. I’ll drive around the airport and then pick you up.”
“Thank you, Steve. I really appreciate it.”
A short while later, Greg brought out his carry-on and backpack. Steve helped him stow them in the trunk of his car. They maintained a light banter during the drive. As he approached the airport area, Steve navigated his car carefully through the dense traffic and dropped them at the curb in front of the Delta terminal. He shook hands with Greg.
“Safe trip, and good luck on your project.”
“Good luck to you too, Dr. Winston.”
“Lillian, call me when you’re ready to leave.”
He climbed into his car and drove to the waiting area, quite pleased with his day and Greg’s support, urging his mother to join Steve’s new clinic. Reassured that Greg would encourage Lillian to work in St. John’s rather than oppose the idea, Steve grinned widely. Now he definitely had to make sure his offer was one she couldn’t refuse.
